Five Oyo town kingmakers, alongside their preferred candidate for the Alaafin stool, Prince Lukman Gbadegesin, have issued a 30-day ultimatum to Governor Seyi Makinde to reverse the appointment of Abimbola Owoade as the Alaafin of Oyo.
Naijaonpoint gathered that the kingmakers threatened to pursue legal action if their demands were unmet.
The ultimatum was contained in a letter dated January 14, 2025, addressed to the governor by the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Kunle Sobaloju, on behalf of the aggrieved parties.
Kingmakers Challenge Owoade’s Appointment
The kingmakers, including the Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola; Laguna of Oyo, High Chief Wakeel Akindele; Akinniku of Oyo, High Chief Hamzat Yusuf; and two warrant chiefs—Chief Wahab Oyetunji (Asipa) and Chief Gbadebo Mufutau (Alapinni)—described Owoade’s appointment as “illegal and unprocedural.”
The SAN representing the group argued that Governor Makinde overstepped his authority by interfering in the selection process, a role reserved for the Oyomesi under the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.
The letter alleged that the governor failed to act on the Oyomesi’s unanimous selection of Prince Lukman Gbadegesin and unlawfully relied on Ifa consultation to justify the appointment of Owoade.
The counsel further accused Makinde of violating a 2022 Oyo State High Court judgment that declared Ifa consultation unlawful in the selection process.
The letter read, “We request that the Governor and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs address the issues raised and rectify these breaches within 30 days of receipt of this notice.
“Failure to do so will compel our client to seek appropriate legal redress in court.”
Six Grounds Of Breach Alleged
Gbadegesin’s legal counsel highlighted six breaches in the selection process, including:
Failure to act on the unanimous decision of the Oyomesi to appoint Prince Lukman Gbadegesin;
Unlawful interference in the Oyomesi’s authority under the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961;
Violation of the Oyo State Chief’s Law, 2000, and the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration;
Contravention of a 2022 court judgment invalidating Ifa consultation in the selection process;
Lack of formal investigation or official complaint against the Oyomesi members to justify their exclusion;
Disregard for the Oyomesi’s majority decision in favor of Prince Gbadegesin.
Call For Reversal Or Legal Action
The kingmakers are demanding that the governor nullify Owoade’s appointment and reinstate the legitimate process. They insist that any further delay in addressing the issues will lead to legal proceedings aimed at protecting the sanctity of Oyo’s traditional institution.
Gbadegesin’s counsel further prayed for, “an order setting aside the purported appointment, approval of appointment and presentation of staff of office to Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as Alaafin of Oyo as It was done In violation of the provisions of the Chief’s Law of Oyo State, 2000, the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, unlawful, unconstitutional, Invalid, null and void.
“A declaration that Prince Lukman Adelodun Ayinla Gbadegesin was validly selected and or appointed by the Kingmakers of Alaafin of Oyo as the candidate to fill the vacant stool of the Alaafin of Oyo by Chief’s Law of Oyo State, 2000 and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961 and therefore his appointment is valid, lawful and proper.
“An order directing the Governor of Oyo State to immediately and forthwith approve the appointment of Prince Lukman Adelodun Ayinla Gbadegesin validly selected and or appointed by the Kingmakers of Alaafin of Oyo as the candidate to fill the vacant stool of the Alaafin of Oyo.
“An order of injunction restraining Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade from parading himself as Alaafin of Oyo and or performing the functions of the Alaafin of Oyo or exercising the powers or authority attached to the office and or occupying the stool of the Alaafin of Oyo.
“An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the Governor, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, their agents servants and or privies from recognising Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as Alaafin of Oyo and or paying him the stipends, allowances, salaries and all the prerequisites of office attached to the position of Alaafin of Oyo.”